Avila Beach, CA

Wow! There are 26 (or more) NAR designations from the National Association of Realtors®, and it's easy to get lost in the alphabet soup of abbreviations. How many designations do you have? And how have they helped you increase your business and earn a profit? Do your designations make you more professional? Here's a list from the www.Realtor.org web site, along with the full title so you can decipher all those abbreviations:

• ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative)
• ABRM (Accredited Buyer Representative Manager)
• AHWD (At Home With Diversity)
• ALC (Accredited Land Consultant)
• ARM (Accredited Residential Manager)
• BPOR (Broker Price Opinion Resource)
• CAM (Certified Apartment Manager)
• CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member)
• CIPS (Certified International Property Specialist)
• CPM (Certified Property Manager)
• CRB (Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager)
• CRE (Counselor of Real Estate)
• CRIA (Certified Realty Investment Associate)
• CRS (Certified Residential Specialist)
• e-PRO (e-PRO® Internet Professional)
• GAA (General Accredited Appraiser)
• GREEN (NAR's Green Designation)
• GRI (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute)
• PMN (Performance Management Network)
• RAA (Residential Accredited Appraiser)
• RCE (REALTOR® Association Certified Executive)
• REPA (Real Estate Professional Assistant, sm)
• RSPS (Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist)
• SFR (Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource)
• SIOR (Society of Industrial and Office Realtors®)
• SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist®)

The NAR www.Realtor.org web site says:

"Earning a designation from NAR or one of its affiliated Institutes, Societies and Councils can help you succeed in all aspects of your business and help you earn more money.

"REALTORS® who pursue professional designations have a distinct competitive edge as a result of their increased expertise and marketability. Based on the 2011 survey data, the median income of REALTORS® without a designation was $26,900 and the median income of those with at least one designation was $49,300. A difference of $22,400.

"There is an official NAR designation for practically every specialty in the real estate industry. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and its affiliated Institutes, Societies and Councils provide a wide-range of programs and services that assist members with increasing skills, productivity, marketability, proficiency and knowledge. Designations and certifications acknowledging experience and expertise in various real estate sectors are awarded by each affiliated group upon completion of required courses.

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and its affiliated Institutes, Societies, and Councils provide a wide-range of programs and services that assist members in increasing skills, proficiency, and knowledge. Designations and certifications acknowledging experience and expertise in various real estate sectors are awarded by NAR and each affiliated group upon completion of required courses."

Regina P. Brown
California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.

Hello Friends and Business Associates, we want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! From all of us at California Coast & Country Homes, Inc. here in California, we thank you for a stellar year and look forward to a record-breaking 2012!

We hope you enjoy the holiday season with your family and friends, and we wish you a very prosperous 2012 with all your missions accomplished!

Regina P. Brown
President / Instructor / Managing Broker
California Coast & Country Homes, Inc.

Thanks to Clinton Gorham for his gorgeous design for our new Christmas cards, if you'd like personal cards designed for you and your business, his web site is:

www.clintongorham.com